Buying & Merchandising Assistant - Seasonal

Dobbies Garden Centres Ltd; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading garden center retailer in Edinburgh is looking for a Buying & Merchandising Assistant. You will support the Buying team with product data management and supplier liaison. The role includes managing samples, and overseeing the critical path to ensure team objectives are met. Ideal candidates excel in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and are effective communicators. This position offers a hybrid working model and various employee benefits.

Benefits

Generous staff discounts

Hybrid working model

Enhanced Group Pension Plan

Access to Wagestream for financial wellbeing

Development opportunities via Dobbies Academy

Qualifications

• Ability to manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
• Focus on accuracy and quality.
• Alignment with company values.

Responsibilities

• Critical path oversight to ensure delivery of team objectives.
• Managing and maintaining the sample library.
• Liaising with suppliers regarding purchase orders and samples.

Skills

High proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Excellent organizational skills

Strong team player

Effective planning and prioritization

Strong interpersonal skills

Excellent communication skills

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Buying & Merchandising Assistant to join our Seasonal team (Buying & Merchandising) based in our Central Support Office in Lasswade. Your role will be to provide support to the Buying team, working closely with stores and suppliers. The role focuses on product data management, supplier liaison, sample management, maintaining the critical path for the Buying team, and general administrative tasks. Our Buying & Merchandising Assistant role offers a hybrid pattern of home working and working from our Central Support Office, with flexibility to work more frequently in the office if preferred.

Responsibilities

1. Critical path oversight to ensure delivery of team objectives
2. Managing and maintaining the sample library, ensuring timely delivery and return of samples for sign-off and key events
3. Ensuring suppliers and products are accurately set up on the systems
4. Liaising with suppliers regarding purchase orders, samples, delivery, and ad hoc requests
5. Inputting product information into range plans and system attributes
6. Creating purchase sheets and uploading them for store use
7. Creating Dobbies barcodes for products as needed
8. Resolving scanning queries from stores
9. Setting up promotions and assisting with seasonal catalogues
10. Providing analytical reports as required

Who we are looking for

1. High proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
2. Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail
3. Strong team player with a proactive attitude
4. Focused on accuracy and quality
5. Effective planning, prioritization, presentation, and problem-solving skills
6. Ability to manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines
7. Strong interpersonal skills for building relationships
8. Excellent written and verbal communication skills
9. Alignment with our values: teamwork, continuous improvement, positivity, passion for gardens, and customer focus

What we offer

1. 33 days annual leave (pro-rata for part-time)
2. Generous staff discounts across stores, restaurants, and food halls
3. Hybrid working model
4. Enhanced Group Pension Plan
5. Interest-free season ticket loans
6. Access to Wagestream for financial wellbeing
7. Support from Retail Trust including confidential support and healthcare
8. Development opportunities via Dobbies Academy and funded courses
9. Free tea, coffee, and milk
10. Wellbeing space and social events

About us

Founded in 1865 by James Dobbie, Dobbies is the only garden centre retailer with stores in every UK nation. We celebrate gardening and plant care, offering a wide range of products, concessions, and services. Many stores feature restaurants or cafes, and we host community events and charity fundraising. We are committed to being a great place to work, encouraging our colleagues to thrive and succeed together.